The Public Relations Officer of the service, Peter Afunanya, said in a statement in Abuja that five of the suspects were arrested on October 25 in Riga Chikun, Kaduna state. Afunanya gave the names of the suspects as Isa Ahmadu (gang leader), Suleiman Umar (ransom negotiator), Ibrahim Mallam, Ishaku Saidu aka Ishe and Mansur (Mallam.

He said after a preliminary investigation, the group’s hideout in Katsina State was raided, which led to the arrest of two other members, Muhammadu Ibrahim and Muhammed Isa. He said earlier on October 19, another suspected kidnapper, Sirajo Ibrahim was arrested at Hayin Danmni, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The public relations officer said the service had also arrested the duo of Abubakar Umar and Suleiman Sani for alleged gun running. Mr Afunanya said the suspects were arrested on October 30 at Sainyinan, Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State. He also said between October 11 and 12, four suspected armed bandits operating around Zamfara State were arrested in Bakura, Tsafe and Bugundu Local Government Areas of the state. He named the suspected bandits as Dan-Alhaji, Dan-Mineri,Yusuf Khalif and Musa (Mallam).

The spokesperson added that the service, in collaboration with the military, also arrested Muhammed Aminu, another suspected gunrunner and his accomplice, Dare Okunwola, aka boda. Afunanya said the suspect was arrested in Lere Local Government Area and Agindi, Jos, in Kaduna state and Plateau respectively. He said during a search at Okunwola`s residence, several ammunition and eight AK-47 rifles were recovered.